Bollyburst 5

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is back!
Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has been keeping schtum about his upcoming film Guzaarish…until now. The first look of this Hrithik Roshan-Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer was on September 23rd, and already expectations are running high. The story is about a wheelchair-bound quadriplegic (played by Hrithik Roshan) who forms a bond with his married carer (Aishwarya Rai- Bachchan) who does everything for him. The film also tackles a sensitive ethical issue, as Hrithik’s character, Ethan, goes to court to try and win the right to his own life. While this is Aishwarya’s 3rd film with Bhansali (after "Devdas" and "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam"), this is the first time Hrithik has worked with the esteemed director. The film will see Ash and Hrithik working together for a third time, after their previously magnetic screen presence together, in the hit films Dhoom 2 and Jodhaa Akbar. Check out the trailer below, and be sure not to miss "Guzaarish", out on November 19th 2010.

Farah Khan’s Christmas Release
It’s been three years since Om Shanti Om came out, but choreographer-turned-director Farah Khan has once again teamed up with music duo Vishal-Shekhar for her new venture – Tees Maar Khan – starring Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Akshaye Khanna. TMK is an action comedy about the things an audacious conman (played by Akshay Khanna) gets up to. The film will also have guest appearances by Anil Kapoor and Twinkle Khanna, as well as an item song featuring Salman Khan. Farah has referred to it as being “kid-friendly” and “just the kind of film you’d want to watch in the holidays”, so we can’t wait to see what’s in store!

Aamir Khan hits London
To promote his film “Peepli [Live]”, actor Aamir Khan has been busy in London city. There was a Meet & Greet at Curzon Soho on Sunday 19th September, followed by a private BAFTA screening that evening. The next day was the Gala Screening at Curzon Mayfair, and after 2 exclusive screenings at Cineworld Feltham, lucky fans got the opportunity to have a Q&A session with him.  No time to rest for this superstar however, as on the 22nd, he had a special Q&A session with Bollywood expert Dr. Rajinder Dudrah and on the 24th he will be appearing on channel 5’s hit program “The Wright Stuff”. Peepli [Live], produced by Aamir Khan, is a satirical comedy about struggling Indian farmers who commit suicide so that their families may receive compensation money. It has been received with critical acclaim, so be sure to catch it at a cinema near you if you can!

Drew Barrymore enters the world of Bollywood
Director/Producer Santosh Kumar Jain has signed Hollywood starlet Drew Barrymore to star in his international project The Lifestyle – In Generation Next. The film will be a bilingual (Hindi and English) feature, shot in stereoscopic 3-D format (the same technology used for Hollywood blockbuster “Avatar”) and it will be the first Indian film to use this technique. The story is about 3 women from different societies, and how they try to discover themselves. The film also looks at the values of the sanctity of the River Ganges. The other two female leads will be played by Indian actresses, though the roles are yet to be cast. The Lifestyle – In Generation Next will start shooting in November of this year, and is slated for a 2010 release.

Let’s get rid of the R-word!
Actor Akshay Kumar, who is also the ambassador of the Special Olympics, is campaigning to rid the usage of the word “retard”, and has turned to the film industry for support. “Many of u know I’m campaigning to ban the word ‘Retard’.I cannot tell u enough how supportive our industry has been.” he tweeted recently. Top industry personalities such as Katrina Kaif, Salman Khan, Farah Khan and Amitabh Bachchan have shown their support for Akshay’s campaign. On the website (http://www.r-wordindia.org), it states “We pledge never to use the word ‘retard’ in any language. We also pledge our support to always treat the intellectually challenged with respect and dignity and to never allow others around us to treat them with indignity and disrespect.” Make sure you sign the petition online to support this cause too.

Aakrosh tackles important social issues
Bipasha Basu stars alongside other Bollywood stars such as Ajay Devgn and Akshaye Khanna, in director Priyadarshan’s upcoming “Aakrosh”. The film is centred on the honour killings that took place in the state of Haryana in India. The film also stars Paresh Rawal and Reema Sen, and Sameera Reddy makes a cameo appearance. Bipasha plays an unhappy housewife stuck in an abusive relationship, and she has said that thought it was “a dismal role to play”, she learnt a great deal. The film was originally due to be released on October 1st, but as Anjaana Anjaani’s release date has now been pushed to this date, Aakrosh will now be out on the 15th of October.

A star-studded cast for a ‘Power’ful movie
Top Bollywood stars such as Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor and the one and only Amitabh Bachchan come together for Rajkumar Santoshi’s new film “Power”, an action film with Amisha Patel, and possibly Kangana Ranaut, taking the female leads. This will surely be an action-packed entertainer, and according to reports, top action experts from Hollywood, who have worked on the likes of Casino Royale and Spiderman have been roped in as well.

Akshay Kumar turns DJ?!
Akshay Kumar will be taking us back a few decades for his upcoming film “Action Replayy”, in which he plays a DJ in the 70s. Alongside Akshay will be the beautiful Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, in this feature directed by Vipul Shah who also directed “London Dreams”. The film is due to be released on during Diwali of 2010. Not content with just being a DJ in the film, Akshay has chosen to take control of the playlist at the upcoming event for the release of this film, and has enlisted the help of his mother-in-law, Dimple Kapadia, to select songs from that era. Let’s hope he manages to keep the crowds dancing all night!

Kavya Rajagopalan (c) Thamarai.com